Agency :
India suffered a massive blow ahead of their three-match T20I series against the West Indies as KL Rahul and Axar Patel have been ruled out of the entire series.
Rahul sustained a hamstring strain while fielding during the second ODI between the two sides. On the other hand, Axar Patel has been ruled out of the T20I series as he is still under rehabilitation and is recovering from Covid-19.
Right-handed batter Ruturaj Gaikwad and all-rounder Deepak Hooda have joined the Indian squad as a replacement for the three-match T20I series.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the announcement in a press release on Friday. “Vice-captain KL Rahul and all-rounder Axar Patel have been ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against the West Indies to be played in Kolkata from 16th February, 2022,” the BCCI stated in the press release.
“Rahul sustained an upper left hamstring strain during fielding in the 2nd ODI on 9th February 2022 while Axar has resumed the final stage of his rehabilitation after recently recovering from Covid-19. They will now head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further management of their injury,” it added.
India have already clinched the three-match ODI series after winning the opening two matches.
India’s T20I squad:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda.
